Yes, I think the Lakers will win the series if their frontcourt starts producing on offense, the Nuggets continue to shoot 65.7% from the free-throw line and Trevor Ariza does a better job defensively on Carmelo Anthony.

Derek Fisher also needs to stay on track after entering Game 1 with 19.4% three-point accuracy in the playoffs. It also would be a good idea to prevent the Nuggets' starting frontline from ever again shooting 63% in a game. I mean, that's ridiculous. Embarrassing, even.

"Championship pedigree matters. The Los Angeles Lakers have it. No doubt. The Nuggets? Not so much.

"After the loss, as his players slowly buttoned shirts and tried stiff upper lips on for size in a quiet visitors locker room, Denver Coach George Karl sat slumped on a chair in his office for a very long time, his head so heavy with dejection it seemed impossible for him to lift it. Anybody who walked by could see Karl's agonized dejection. This is not how a champion acts."

Never underestimate the heart of the Lakers! (Except for Games 1, 4 and 6 against Houston.)

Best-case Lakers scenario

Kobe Bryant again scores 40 points and somebody else on his team actually scores more than 13. It gets upgraded to a best-ever scenario if it's Andrew Bynum. It then becomes the new-best-ever scenario if Bynum can also stop Nene and Kenyon Martin from dunking every possession.

Final thought

The intensity of Game 1 is somehow matched in Game 2 and the Lakers win again in a tight one. No, the Nuggets even it up in a tight one. No, make that the Lakers in a tight one. I'm sticking with that . . . for now.